DIY Affordable Virtual Reality
Virtual fieldtrips can take on a delightful quality when you add Virtual Reality (VR) technology. VR can be done on a budget and there are many apps and resources to help.
Cardboard VR headsets can be purchased for around $10 and can be used with smartphones. Older students can make their own cardboard VR headsets for a little bit less (the lenses are the priciest part at around $7).
VR 360 degree videos can be viewed with no special equipement beyond a computer, table or smartphone.
Some useful links:
Headsets and apps:
- Here are instructions for making your own cardboard VR heardset.
- The Google Expeditions VR app has VR modules to visit anywhere from the human circulatory system to Mars.
- Google Earth and Google Street View in VR are both available through the Google cardboard app
- The Within VR app takes more of a story approach. Can be viewed with or without a VR headset. This app is rated 12+
360 Degree videos: